The fate of convicted killer Jason Getsy is now in the hands of the state parole board.
A clemency hearing for Getsy, who was convicted of the 1995 murder of Ann Serafino and the attempted murder of her son Charles, was held Thursday in Columbus. Members of Getsy's family begged for his life, saying he had a rough upbringing by not knowing his real father and being around his step dad who used drugs and introduced him to guns.
"I remember when he was a boy, I was praying over him for God to watch him because I knew he didn't have a chance," said Getsy's aunt, Donna Keener.
Getsy's family also said that he was only 19 at the time of the crime and he and his two friends carried out the murder because they felt threatened by John Santine.
Police say Santine paid the three to murder Charles Serafino and any witnesses. Santine was sentenced to life in prison.
"To impose the ultimate penalty, the death sentence, on a person who was a puppet, when the mastermind was not sentenced to death," said Atty. David Sebbins, who represents Getsy. But Charles Serafino and other family members strongly disagree.
"He will die August 18 for what he did to my mother," said Charles Serafino.
Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins urged the parole board to deny clemency. "He is the one that carried out the crime. He was the principal offender," said Prosecutor Watkins.
The parole board is expected to make its recommendation to Governor Ted Strickland next Friday.
